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Time to rock out with the North Tarrytown All Stars (NTTAS). These three guys are from, yes, you guessed it; Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, which was formerly North Tarrytown.
The band is made up of Neil Jacobson on upright bass, Ahmed Kharem on drums, guitar and vocals and Tom Schumacher on guitar and vocals.
Kharem is originally from New York City, but went to high school in Hastings-On-Hudson and then to college in Massachusetts. Jacobson was born in North Dakota. Schumacher grew up in Pennsylvania and went to college there.
Schumacher said NTTAS have been together since spring 2014.
"Apparently one of my other bands Four Piece Racket! was unable to play a scheduled gig; and I was able to put together a group that included Ahmed and Neil as well as local singer-songwriters Brad King and Bill Kelly." Schumacher said. "Since the response to the band was very positive from the audience and from the individual members, we decided to continue the collaboration."
NTTAS next gig came from a solo venture that Schumacher had. He was playing at An American Bistro in Tuckahoe, and was asked if he knew any trio bands because the restaurant was looking to expand their Friday night music schedule. That is when NTTAS stepped in and started playing there monthly.
"Our goal with NTTAS is to expose our audience to songs in the singer-songwriter tradition that are a bit off the beaten path," says Schumacher. NTTAS plays music from Americana to country, folk/protest to blues.
Although NTTAS currently doesn't have a CD out; the band is heading into the studio next month to record some music for their online presence.
What does Kharem enjoy most about being a part of NTTAS?
"As we've played more I've come to appreciate the band for a few reasons; we are a dynamic band," he said. "We respect the intimacy of a delicate poignant song, and we ramp up the humor in a comedic song, I have also had the opportunity to fulfill a few roles in the band, which make it fun for me."
"I'm seeking two types connections: player-to-player and group-to-audience, " said Jacobson. "When either happens, it's special. When both happen, it's incredible.
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